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Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, War
Graphic: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Violence, Antisemitism, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racial slurs, Stalking
Minor: Cancer
This will be the one to beat in 2025 for me. Loved it. Wish my book club could read it but it’s basically a 2 month commitment.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Stalking, Murder
Some notes I took while reading:
• Excuse me, the 16-year-olds dancing was “sexy?!” Creep.
• Sex as the cure for a headache from almost OD-ing?! You wish, Stephen.
• Yes, I’m sure her most pressing concern after being traumatically attacked by her abusive ex-husband is how she looks in front of her current boyfriend.
• SADIE “THE VIRGIN” AS HER IDENTIFIER?? SERIOUSLY.
• Yes, because she needs a man to make her obviously very accomplished life worthwhile.
• And I hated the frequent use of phrases like “smoothly naked” and “her formidable bosom.”
In conclusion, I would hate to be written by Stephen King and I wish I could unread this book.
Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Homophobia, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy, Sexual harassment
Graphic: Suicide, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Car accident, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, Sexism, Grief, War
King’s in-depth research resulted in details that bring the past to life - TV shows, advertisements, hair products, clothing styles, food. The cursing didn’t seem in keeping, though. My parents were the same generation as Jake, the protagonist and I don’t think middle class people would have cursed; they certainly wouldn’t have used the more vulgar words. (I’m not against cursing at all, but I don’t think it fits with the characters.)
Unfortunately, the book is bloated. It would have been better if it were about a third shorter. Also, as with all stories with annoying characters, I just wanted to shake Jake and tell him to get on with it.
I’m glad I read it and I think the story and the details are good but it was just way too long.
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Police brutality, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicide, Blood, Stalking
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Self harm, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Religious bigotry, Stalking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail